Child abuse victim continues Dáil hunger strike

A 57-year-old man has entered his 21st day on hunger strike outside the Dáil in protest at his treatment by the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

Tom Sweeney, from Tallaght in Dublin, was originally offered €113,000 in compensation for abuse he suffered at residential institutions in Artane and Salthill in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

However, this award was reduced to around €70,000 after he chose to tell his story to the Redress Board.

Politicians and church leaders have been attempting to negotiate an end to the hunger strike and the matter was raised in the Dáil last week by Labour Party leader Pat Rabbittee.

The Tánaiste, Mary Harney, told Mr Rabbitte that every effort was being made to resolve the situation.

Reports this morning said the Department of the Taoiseach had offered €70,000 to Mr Sweeney, but that he had rejected the offer as insufficient.

Speaking outside the Dáil today, he said he would continue his protest “for as long as it takes”.